a novel
204 pgs hardbound 9780915090747
readings
Books Inc
Laurel Village, SF
October 21, 2009
Book Passage
Corte Madera, CA
January 23, 2010
by Merla Zellerbach
A luxury cruise ship hosts modern day romance, mystery, and suspense.
"An upbeat story for anyone who fears breast cancer, and a fast, fun read for cruise ship buffs, romantics, and mystery lovers..." Senator Dianne Feinstein
"I loved it! As the story unfolds, you'll become involved in Hallie's personal happiness and delight in the solving of this mystery at sea. Sharp dialogue, great descriptions of San Francisco life, and of course, the cruise experience. This book is a gem. I recommend it as a treat!" June Lockhart
"Literary wizardry at its best! I devoured Merla Zellerbach's Mystery of the Mermaid, her eighth novel, and anyone yearning for a you-can't-turn-the-pages-fast-enough thriller will devour this whodunit that simmers like a rolling boil about to explode. Merla's labyrinthine ploys kept me racing through the chapters, the colorful Bay Area characters tease and captivate with their romantic (and horndog) twists and turns during a luxury cruise to South America, as they discover the mermaid's secret, and wonder who the hell's the murderer among them. Novelist Mary McCarthy claimed that memorable fiction requires good underpinnings, which Merla delivers big time, and Agatha Christie would rate Mystery of the Mermaid with an A-plus." George Christy
"Fans of old-fashioned romantic mysteries will welcome Zellerbach's lighthearted puzzler set mainly aboard a Norwegian luxury liner on a 42-day South American cruise." Publisher's Weekly
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The Plot
Hallie Marsh, a young single woman who has it all, suddenly finds herself a breast cancer survivor. Her wit keeps her calm and on course. Hoping to adjust to her new body image, she takes a luxury cruise. But strange things happen on board: a passenger disappears, a body turns up in a cabin, and a handsome journalist romances her unexpectedly.
The Author and the Reading Experience
Merla Zellerbach, a native San Franciscan, former editor of the Nob Hill Gazette, and a 23-year columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle, gives us her eighth novel, a romantic whodunit, set in San Francisco and at sea.
"a fast and fun read" - Carolyne Zinko, San Francisco Chronicle
"engaging" - Marshall D. Norris
"As a San Franciscan, I found Ms. Zellerbach's extraordinary grasp of the city's social history to be fun and fascinating. Most importantly though, she weaves a wonderfully romantic, witty, and sophisticated tale that will please a variety of readers. This is a page-turner done with style and verve." - Stephanie L
a novel
292 pgs
hardbound
0-915090-30-9
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$24.50
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paperback
gift special
$12.50
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292 pgs
hardbound
0-915090-30-9
gift special
$24.50
buy now free shipping
paperback
gift special
$12.50
buy now
ebook
available
for ipad
and iphone
from Apple
available
for ipad
and iphone
from Apple
No one knows the inner workings of San Francisco society better than Merla Zellerbach, a native San Franciscan, former editor of the Nob Hill Gazette, and for 23 years a columnist with the San Francisco Chronicle. This, her seventh novel, is a chance to closely experience the entanglements of a powerful newspaper dynasty, and enjoy the family's secrets over time in San Francisco.
The Plot
Yvonne believes marrying a good man like Marc is the right thing to do, but her heart still belongs to Paul Amory, a soldier she believes to be dead. Soon after her stylish marriage, Yvonne’s father, James Tyler Stockton, the family patriarch and publisher of the San Francisco Herald, dies, leaving the fate of the dynasty he’s created in doubt. His four children from two different marriages seek their own paths. The lives of his offspring mirror the time they live in, differently. Indeed, his family delivers fashion and news among the rich and powerful on a daily basis. The differences bring them into decisive conflict, complicated by the loves they pursue, and the secrets they protect.
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